Money, money, money: it’s a rich man’s world for family visa applicants
The biggest news of the week has been the decision in the Court of Appeal case of R ( MM & Others ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department 2013 EWHC 1900 (Admin) (known as “MM”).
This time the Court found in favour of the Home Office, holding that the financial requirement may be ‘discriminatory’, but it is not ‘disproportionate’ to the Secretary of State’s aim of saving taxpayer pennies and promoting integration.
The Home Office says that from 28 July they will start to make decisions on the 4,000 or so applications kept on hold during the case.
People whose applications are now refused should in many cases be able to appeal based on the application of Article 8 to their individual case. Others will be considering using European law to reunite with their family (the ‘Surinder Singh’ route), or whether to leave the UK altogether.
Southampton's ‘Immigration Street’
Channel 4 has confirmed that Southampton’s Derby Road will be the focus of a series provisionally entitled ‘Immigration Street’, from the same producers who brought us ‘Benefits Street’.
Local voices have already been raised in concern, particularly considering the controversy caused by Benefits Street, and the risk that vulnerable residents could be targeted for participation.
No entry: driving licence restrictions in force
The parts of the Immigration Act 2014 that set residence rules for holding a UK driving licence came into force on 14 July.
People who need immigration permission to be in the UK but do not have it will not qualify for a new driving licence. If you have an existing licence, it can be revoked.
